Indo-Pak Tension: Cricketing and cinematic ties under attack

Written by: Maitreyee Boruah

Published: Saturday, September 24, 2016, 11:36 [IST]

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Tension between India and Pakistan has reached an all-time high post-Uri terror attack, where 18 Indian soldiers were killed by Pakistan-based terrorists. At this fragile stage, cinematic and cricketing ties between the two neighbouring nations have also come under attack.

BCCI chief Anurag Thakur on Friday ruled out the possibility of reviving bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan in the near future. He added even considering such a thought is not appropriate.

"In the context of what has happened (Uri terror attack) even considering such a thought is not appropriate," Thakur, who is also a BJP MP, told reporters at Kozhikode.

Moreover, a leader of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Friday has asked Pakistani actors working in Bollywood films to leave India within 48 Hours.

"Actors like Mahira Khan (starring Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Raees') and "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" star Fawad Khan are hijacking the opportunities of Indian artistes," Shalini Thackeray, general secretary of MNS, said at a press conference in Mumbai.

Thackeray added the party has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to all the Pakistani actors to leave the country.

"We have started dashing off letters to Pakistani actors, whose country is allegedly sponsoring terrorism, to stop their acting business here. We would also issue letters to the producers on what grounds they are hiring the Pakistani actors, when there are ample number of actors here in the country and struggling to find an opportunity," she said.

However, Mumbai police assured to provide full-protection to the actors. In the recent past, several Pakistani actors and artistes have been threatened in Mumbai, the hub of Indian cinema.

Most Indians and Pakistanis are passionate about cricket and films and such developments bring further division between the two neighbouring countries, say experts.